When browsing on the
internet, it is possible to come across different websites with a clustered
layout. Due to advancements in technology, this problem has been solved by the
use of Sitemaps.
The role of a sitemap is
simple. It helps to guide visitors to the different segments of your website.
Whenever your guests are unable to find what they are searching for on the
dropdown menu, the sitemap is the next option. Now, its main function is to guide
website visitors but there are also a number of other benefits which it
provides.
Notably, there are two
types of sitemaps namely; XML and HTML sitemaps. We'll be taking a close look
at HTML sitemap and the different benefits which you stand to gain from making
use of them.
What is an
HTML Sitemap?
An HTML sitemap allows visitors to easily navigate around a
website. It is designed to inform of a bulleted outline of the website
navigation. Each bullet is linked to the page which it references or describes.
Visitors make use of a sitemap to locate a topic which they have been unable to
get from the website menus. These maps are always comprehensive and contain all
the pages which are available including main pages and lower pages. In certain
scenarios, the sitemap is unordered but this can be confusing to visitors.
It should actually be
used to basically simplify navigation and add some order to the whole website.
It's an important element that is included in a good number of websites
depending on the number of pages that are accessible. It's an impressive choice
to include in your website.
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What is the Importance of HTML Sitemaps?
There may be a lot of
news going around about the redundancy of HTML sitemaps. However, experts such
as Joel House Newcastle insist that it is an important part of your
website. Let's look at some of the reasons to make use of it.
- Useful for
Larger Websites
Over time, your website
will continue to grow. Basically, you may include a number of new segments to
the website such as e-commerce with new product segments or a larger product
portfolio. As your brand grows and looks to expand the services which it offers
to its clients, it's impossible to avoid growth.
However, a large website
can be confusing for visitors who are unclear about where to go for the service
they require. The sitemap will help to point them in the direction to go.
- Serves as an Architectural Blueprint
Yes, the sitemap is a
blueprint that contains all the vital parts of the website. Also, it makes it
easier to manage the different pages on the website. It can be used to monitor
the structure and connection of these webpages and subpages.
It will ensure that every
segment of the site is properly outlined and named. When you click on it, you
get directed to the corresponding part of the website.
- Improved Search
Engine Visibility
HTML sitemaps help to
provide search engines with a clear description of the website in question.
Sometimes, it's difficult for Google and a number of other search engines to do
all the hard work of indexing webpages. It will help the crawlers easily
understand the taxonomy of the site.
Google still takes note
of websites with HTML sitemaps. Using a sitemap, you can break a website into
multiple pages with links attached to each of them. It's easier for search
engine bots to locate these links and they display them to users.
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- Useful for Interlinking
A sitemap can be used to
organize your website in such a way that it becomes the first-stop location for
visitors. This way, each link to individual pages are considered to be more
useful and worth a lot. It links everything together and every part of the
website is easily accessible in just a single click.
- Helps Define the Website's Purpose
When a visitor visits
your website, they often wonder what the purpose of the website is. The HTML
sitemap is a great highlight of what you are looking to offer to your clients.
The map can be rendered more effective when SEO and relevant keywords are used
in it.
- Improves the Speed of Search Engine Crawlers
The sitemap will make it
easier to find your content and will give it more priority in the crawl queue.
The HTML sitemap will help to highlight the important content on your website.
It's also possible to submit your text version of your HTML sitemap to websites
such as Google. This can be beneficial considering the number of web pages that search engine crawlers have to deal with.
- Increases the
website traffic
Now, when making use of
the sitemap your search engine visibility gets better. The important pages of
the website are now visible to users of search engines. In the long run, this
will result in more clicks. More people are aware of the content, product or
service you offer. Those hidden pages will start to receive more traffic and an
increase in profit.
- Helps to Indicate
any Possible Improvement to Site Navigation
As the website grows,
duplicate data and content may come up. The sitemap will make it easier to
identify any of such duplicate data and eliminate it. When combined with
analytic tools, it will indicate the least visited pages. This is a signal that
you would need to make some changes to draw traffic to these parts.
Also Read- Link Reclamation
Conclusion
HTML sitemaps are a great
way to help you save a good number of resources and to manage the website
better. It is also an effective tool to guide visitors, improve traffic and get
more sales.
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